Raised Spot Gloss Business Cards

What are Raised Spot Gloss Business Cards?

Raised Spot Gloss Business Cards are printed on thick Super paper (400gsm / 19pt) with a Soft Touch matte finish, then enhanced with a clear, elevated gloss applied to selected parts of your design.

This creates a smooth, raised effect that adds both shine and texture, so key elements stand out visually and physically.

Is this right for you?

This works well if you want:

  • A tactile finish you can feel as well as see
  • Design elements that stand out through texture
  • A more subtle alternative to metallic finishes

Compared to other finishes:

  • More tactile than standard Spot Gloss
  • Less reflective than Gold or Silver Foil
  • Adds physical depth, not just visual contrast

At a glance

  • Paper: Super (400gsm / 19pt)
  • Base finish: Soft Touch matte
  • Finish type: Raised spot gloss (raised spot UV)
  • Feel: Smooth with elevated, glossy areas
  • Material: Made from responsibly sourced FSC® certified material
  • Best for: Logos, text, tactile highlights

Sizes and format

Available in:

Standard (2.0" x 3.5")

InkPavo (2.16" x 3.3")

Square (2.56" x 2.56")

You can choose rounded or square corners.

What is Raised Spot Gloss?

Raised Spot Gloss (also called raised spot UV) is a clear coating applied to selected areas of your design.

It creates:

  • A raised, 3D-like texture you can feel
  • A glossy shine that catches the light
  • A stronger contrast compared to standard Spot Gloss

Customization

  • Applied only to selected parts of your design
  • Can be used on one or both sides of the card
  • Works best for logos, text, or bold shapes

Mix & Match.svgWhile the front of every card in your pack will have the same image, you can have up to 50 different back designs when utilizing InkPavo’s own [Mix & Match](https://www.https://www.InkPavo.com/about/Mix & Match) option! Please note, Mix & Match options may be limited on some InkPavo Designs.
Preparing your artwork

To set up a Raised Spot Gloss design, you’ll need two files:

  • One for your main printed design (background)
  • One for the raised gloss layer (showing where the finish will be applied)

Design GuidelinesYour gloss artwork should be:

  • Vector-based
  • Black and white only
  • Set to 100% black (CMYK 0/0/0/100) for gloss areas
  • Saved as a PDF

You can also use pre-made Raised Spot Gloss templates if you want a quicker starting point.

Design tips for best results

Raised Spot Gloss works best when used as a highlight rather than a full layer.

  • Avoid large solid areas of raised gloss
  • Keep coverage to less than 50% of each side
  • Use it to emphasize key elements like logos or headings
  • Simpler shapes produce cleaner, more defined results

If you’re unsure, it’s worth reviewing the full Special Finish Guidelines before finalizing your design: Special Finishes design requirements

What to know before ordering

  • Only one special finish can be applied per card
  • Raised gloss adds both visual and physical contrast
  • Best results come from clean, intentional designs
  • Printed on Soft Touch Super paper for optimal effect